Abuja residents have been told to take the Human Papillomavirus vaccine, currently administered by the Primary Health Care Development Agency and Pathfinder International, to prevent cancer.
The Communication Officer of Pathfinder International Nigeria, Bayo Ewuola, disclosed this during a vaccination and sanitisation in Kabusa, a suburb of Abuja, Nigeria.
According to him, the HPV vaccine is effective against genital warts and most cases of cervical cancer.
Emphasising that the vaccine is free, he said: “Girls from nine to 14 years old are encouraged to take the HPV vaccine. This must be done to stop the prevalence of cervical cancer at an earlier age. This is why we are here in collaboration with the Primary Health Care Development Agency and others,” he said.
Samuel Gbowu, the chief of Kabusa, said the community is open to initiatives that impact the well-being of his people.
The chief, represented by Joel Gbowu, the Yarima of the community, noted that the programme is timely in addressing rising cases of cancer nationwide.
Cervical cancer kills at least 22 women in Nigeria daily, according to data from 2023.
